$20bn or $30bn? The FIFA–UEFA dispute compares two different values
UEFA seeks documents; FIFA alleges an election-driven misinformation campaign. The two sides are also comparing different valuation measures.
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FIFA asked a US court on 29 September to reject UEFA’s request for documents and testimony concerning the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise plan. UEFA wants evidence for a planned criminal complaint in Switzerland; FIFA says the filing is misleading and designed to influence March’s presidential election. UEFA declined to comment to Reuters on the new response.
The two headline numbers measure different things
The dispute’s eye-catching figures can mislead. UEFA’s filing refers to an equity valuation of about $20 billion, while FIFA cites an enterprise value above $30 billion. Equity value is what remains for shareholders after debt; enterprise value covers the whole business. The numerical gap alone therefore does not decide whether the proposed transaction was fairly priced.
Reuters reported that the project was abandoned in July after opposition from several confederations. FIFA’s earlier official clarification promised consultation and a vote by member associations. More context is available in the football section.
